Suspect believed to have drowned

A man who fled from police early Saturday morning is believed to have drowned, say police.

Vernon RCMP received a report of a suspicious man in the 8700 block of Okanagan Landing Road at 3:12 a.m.

The complainant told police the man tried to enter a home and that, when confronted by the homeowner, he appeared to be distraught.

Police located a man matching the description and had a verbal interaction with him.

He then became aggressive with police and fled the area on foot, heading toward Okanagan Lake, said Sgt. Annie Linteau.

“As police set up containment of the area, a splashing noise was heard coming from the lake,” she said.

Officers then saw an individual, believed to be the same man, swimming away from shore before going under water.

“It is not believed that the man resurfaced,” said Linteau.

Police immediately launched a search of the lake using a kayak, but they were unsuccessful.

The local search and rescue team also attended the scene to search the shoreline and lake.

Vernon RCMP are continuing to search for the man, with support from police dog services, Vernon Search and Rescue and the underwater recovery team.

Anyone with information is asked to call Vernon RCMP at 250545-7171.